Parent & Afterschool Resources | Grades 6 – 12 | Podcast EpisodeA Conversation with A.S. King
Tune in to hear about the seeds behind her newest novel, Everybody Sees the Ants. We’ll discuss how several of the novel’s key elements came about during Amy’s writing process, how The Vagina Monologues connects thematically to elements of the text focused on bullying and torture, and how satire helped her to make a key point about Lucky Linderman’s process of coming to terms with the adult world.

Parent & Afterschool Resources | Grades 6 – 12 | Podcast EpisodeA Conversation with Candace Fleming
In the world of young adult literature, some of today’s best and most powerful stories are being told by authors of nonfiction. Tune in to hear Candace Fleming discuss the origins of The Family Romanov, research as a process of questioning, and how authors of nonfiction are pushing the envelope in books for today’s teens.

Parent & Afterschool Resources | Grades 6 – 12 | Podcast EpisodeA Conversation with Chris Crutcher
Tune in to hear the about the ideas behind Crutcher's newest book, Period 8; his thoughts on writing in honest language for teenagers; and what readers have told him about the impact of his stories.

Parent & Afterschool Resources | Grades 6 – 12 | Podcast EpisodeA Conversation with Coe Booth
Tune in to hear how Coe Booth worked through the challenges of writing Bronxwood, how she makes sense of her characters’ actions, and how her books challenge readers to develop critical social consciousness.

Parent & Afterschool Resources | Grades 6 – 12 | Podcast EpisodeA Conversation with Deborah Wiles
Tune in to hear how Deborah Wiles uses visual artifacts-including news headlines and song lyrics, maps and snapshots, cartoons and excerpts from speeches-to tell a story about the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis through the eyes of an eleven-year-old girl.

Parent & Afterschool Resources | Grades 6 – 12 | Podcast EpisodeA Conversation with E. Lockhart
Tune in to hear E. Lockhart talk about creating girl characters who try to ignite social change and challenge social hierarchies, the approach she takes to the writing process, and her thoughts on reader response to her books.

Parent & Afterschool Resources | Grades 6 – 12 | Podcast EpisodeA Conversation with Francisco X. Stork
In the world of young adult literature, there are certain authors readers can count on to engage both their minds and their hearts in a good story. Francisco X. Stork is one of those authors. Tune in to hear how Francisco’s novels explore themes of religious faith and ambition, how his own life experiences are reflected in his books, and how he thinks about the diverse Latino characters he has created.

Parent & Afterschool Resources | Grades 6 – 12 | Podcast EpisodeA Conversation with John Green
Tune in to hear John discuss why he writes for teens, what he believes readers can gain from their English classes, and some of the thinking behind his newest book, Paper Towns.